Page:The Holy Bible faithfvlly translated into English ovt of the authentical Latin, diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greek, & other Editions in diuers languages.pdf/108

 

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CHAP. XXIX.

 

Iacob entertained by Laban, 15. serueth him seauen yeares for Rachel, 23. but first receiuing Lia, 27. seauen dayes after receiueth also Rachel, and serueth for her seauen yeares more. 31. She remaining barren, Lia beareth foure sonnes.

 

IACOB therfore going on his iourney, came into the East countrie. ²And he saw a wel in the field, and three flocks of sheep lying beside it: for of it the beasts were watered, and the mouth thereof was closed with a great stone. ³And the manner was when al the sheep were gathered together they did role off the stone, and after the sheepe were refreshed they put it on the mouth of the wel againe. ⁴And he said to the shepeards: Brethren, whence are you? Who answered: Of Haran. ⁵And he asked them, saying: Know you Laban the sonne of Nachor? They said: We doe know him. ⁶Is he in health? quoth he: He is in health, say they: And behold Rachel his daughter commeth with his flock. ⁷And Iacob said: There is yet much day remaining, neither is it time to bring the flocks into the folds againe: first giue the sheep drinke, and so bring them back to feede. ⁸Who answered: we can not, til al the cattel be gathered together: and we remoue the stone from the wels mouth, that we may water the flocks. ⁹They were yet speaking, and behold Rachel came with her fathers sheep: for she fed the flock. ¹⁰Whom when Iacob had seen, & knew her to be his cosen germane, & that they were the sheepe of Laban his vncle: he remoued the stone, wherwith the wel was closed. ¹¹And hauing watered the flocke, he ^[1] kissed her: and lifting vp his voice wept, ¹²and he told her that he was her fathers brother, and the sonne of Rebecca: but she in hast went and told her father. ¹³Who when he heard that Iacob his sisters sonne was come, he ranne forth to meet him, & embraceing him, & hartily kissing him, brought him into his house. And when he had heard the causes of his iourney, ¹⁴he answered: Thou art my bone and my flesh. And after the dayes of one month were expired, ¹⁵he said to him: because thou art my brother, shalt thou serue me Without wages?* gratis? Tel me what wages wilt thou take? ¹⁶He had indeed two daughters, the name of the elder was Lia; & the yonger was called Rachel. ¹⁷But Lia was bleare-eyed, Rachel wel fauoured, & of a beautiful countenance. ¹⁸Whom Iacob louing, said: I wil serue thee for Rachel thy yonger daughter seauen yeares. ¹⁹Laban answered: It is better that I giue her to thee then to an other

1. S. Augustine (q. 87. in Gen.) commendeth familiar kissing of kinsfolke and friends as a laudable custome in some countries. It is no-where more ciuil & modest then in England.